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T. A. KIMMELL. FIRE ESCAPE LADDERi No. 319,824.

Patented June 9, 1885.

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THEODORE A. KIMMELL, OFKANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

FlRE-ESCAPE LADDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 319,824, dated June 9, 1885.

Application filed March 10, 1885.

To all whom, it may concern: 7

Be it known that I, THEODORE A. KIM- MELL, of Kansas City, Jackson county, Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fire Escape Ladders, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The object of my invention is to provide an improved tire-escape ladder, one that can be very cheaply made and readily applied to an article of household furnituresuch as a table with divided top and side bar-and having a shaft operated by a crank, or it may be applied to any desired form of receptacle.

My invention consists of a specially-constructed metallic fire-escape ladder capable of being wound upon a reel or shaft and operated in the manner more fully set forthherei-nafler.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in each figure.

Figure 1 is a perspective view ofthe ladder as it appears uncoiled and applied to a table having a divided top and side bar; Fig. 2, a section through the apparatus on the vertical linex a: of Fig. 1, one end of the ladder being shown in longitudinal section; Fig. 3, a detail View showing the manner of securing the rounds to the cables; Fig. 4, a transverse section through a ladder-round on a line with the cable.

In applying my invention I provide the table A with a top that is divided into two equal sections. One section is stationary, and the other section, B, is hinged thereto, so that it may be folded back. One of the side bars of the table is also formed in two parts, the lower part being rigidly connected to the table-legs in the usual manner; but the upper portion, 0, is hinged to the upper edge of the lower part, so that it may be thrown outwardly. I

The ladder is composed of suitably-sized wire cables G, and tubular metal rounds K. The rounds are provided with a transverse aperture, a near each end, through which passes the cable.

In securing the rounds to the cables I prefer to use short wedges, O, of either wood or metal. These, when driven into the ends of (No model.)

the rounds alongside of the cable, as shown more clearly in Fig. at, forcibly bind the latter against the interior surface of the rounds, and form a joint amply strong enough to withstand any strain that may be brought upon it. The ladder may be coiled normally upon a rotative shaft, H, which is journaled horizontally between opposite side bars of the table. This shaft carries near each end a disk, D, provided with a hub, F, and a set-screw, T.

The cable may be affixed to the shaft H by passing it through the transverse apertures b in one unbroken length. One end of the shaft H is provided with a squared head, (I, and projects through one side of the table suitably for being actuated by means of a detachable socket-crank, P. A recess, a, in the side of the table permits the'erank to be applied to the head (2 of the shaft. The opposite end, a, of the shaft passes through a bearing-block, L, but does not project through the side bar.

Longitudinal motion of the shaft H is pre vented by contact of a pin, E, inserted transversely through the same and the inner surface of the bearing-block When the apparatus is to be used, the table A is placed with its folding side nextthe window, the top section, B, is thrown back, the hinged side bar, 0, is let down,'an(l the ladder uncoiled, as shown in Fig. 1.

Rewinding is accomplished by placing the crank upon the head (I of the shaft H.

After my improved ladder is once extended from a window it may, by reason of its strength and stability, be utilized for the purpose of mentoring a building.

I am aware in fire-escapes that a flexible ladder has been coiled upon a reel or shaft journaled within a receptacle thatis provided with a hinged top, and having the rounds of the ladder secured to the cable by means of fused metal. Therefore I do not claim such a construction, broadly; nor do I herein claim the table provided with a divided side bar and folding top, in combination with a flexible metallic ladder, the same being reserved for my pending application No. 152,127 filed J anuary 6, 1885; but

WVhat I claim is 1. A fire-escape ladder composed of tubularrounds secured to cables by Wedges driven in- In testimony whereof I aifix mysignatur'e x0 to the ends of the rounds, as described. in presence of two witnesses.

2. The herein-described fire-escape ladder, consisting of cables passing through rounds THEODORE A. KIMMELL.

5 having longitudinal openings in the ends thereof, and plugs in said openings, which Witnesses: press the cables against the interior surface HAL. G. BRENT, of the rounds, for the purpose substantially as DANFORD M. BAKER. described. 

